MarketAxess Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results


NEW YORK, July 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: MKTX) the operator of a leading electronic trading platform for fixed-income securities, and the provider of market data and post-trade services for the global fixed-income markets, today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2022.


Rick McVey, Chairman of the Board and CEO of MarketAxess, commented
:

“Record levels of market share in the quarter reflect the strides that we have made over the past year in executing our growth strategy, expanding our geographic diversification and establishing a broader global foundation for growth.

The macro backdrop is now much improved, with credit spreads and credit spread volatility moving back into more historical ranges, driving increased estimated cost savings for clients through Open Trading®, our unique liquidity pool.

We believe that our strong growth in trading volume, broad-based market share gains, both year-over-year and sequentially, and increasing momentum in new product areas, including U.S. Treasuries and municipal bonds, are driving our improved performance.”

2Q22 Financial and operational highlights*

  • Record levels of estimated market share driving strong growth in trading volume.
  • Record composite corporate bond1 estimated market share of 20.2%, up from 17.8%, reflecting broad-based estimated market share gains across global credit.
  • Record estimated combined U.S. high-grade and U.S. high-yield market share of 20.9%, up from 19.1% in the prior year.
  • Record estimated market share across U.S. high-yield, emerging markets, Eurobonds and U.S. Treasuries.
  • Revenues of $182.2 million, up 3%.
  • Total expenses of $97.4 million, up 9% on continued investment in the business.
  • $105.2 million in EBITDA and EBITDA margin of 57.7%, up from 56.3%.
  • Diluted EPS of $1.78, includes an $0.11 per share benefit from foreign currency transaction gains.
  • Declared $0.70 per share dividend; repurchased 178,801 shares for a total cost of $48.7 million.
  • Record 1,935 total active clients, up 5%, reflecting the continued expansion of our global liquidity pool.
  • Total trading average daily volume (“ADV”) of $35.4 billion, up 43%, driven principally by a 64% increase in U.S. Treasury ADV to $22.7 billion and a 15% increase in total credit ADV to $12.3 billion.
  • $238 million in estimated transaction cost savings2 for clients via Open Trading®, our differentiated liquidity pool; $439 million in estimated transaction cost savings2 year-to-date.
  • Record $23 billion in portfolio trading volume, up from $4 billion in 2Q21 and $14 billion in 1Q22.

*All comparisons versus second quarter 2021 unless otherwise noted.

Table 1: 2Q22 select financial results
$ in millions, except per share data (unaudited)RevenuesOperating IncomeOperating
Margin (%)
Net IncomeDiluted EPSEBITDAEBITDA
Margin (%)
    
2Q22 $182 $85  47% $67 $1.78 $105  58%     
2Q21 $176 $87  49% $67 $1.77 $99  56%     
2Q22 vs. 2Q21
% Change
 3%  (3%) (291) bps (1%)  1%  6% +138 bps    
              
Table 2: 2Q22 trading volume (ADV)
  CREDITRATES
$ in millions (unaudited)Total VolumesHigh-GradeHigh-YieldEmerging MarketsEurobondsOther Credit Prod.Total Other CreditTotal CreditUS Govt. BondsAgcy./Other
Govt. Bonds
Total Rates
2Q22 $35,389 $5,803 $1,771 $2,828 $1,491 $397 $6,487 $12,290 $22,657 $442 $23,099 
2Q21 $24,777 $5,143 $1,457 $2,496 $1,463 $105 $5,521 $10,664 $13,850 $263 $14,113 
2Q22 vs. 2Q21
% Change
 43%  13%  22%  13%  2%  278%  17%  15%  64%  68%  64% 
            
Table 3: 2Q22 Estimated Market Share
 CREDITRATES    
(unaudited)High-GradeHigh-YieldHigh-Grade/High-
Yield Combined
EurobondsComposite
Corporate Bond
2
MunicipalsUS Govt.
Bonds
    
2Q22  22.3%  17.3%  20.9%  15.1%  20.2%  3.9%  3.7%     
1Q22 20.7%  15.2%  19.1%  12.2%  18.1%  4.3%  3.6%     
2Q21  21.1%  14.3%  19.1%  11.7%  17.8%  2.2%  2.3%     
2Q22 vs. 2Q21
BPS Change
+120 bps+300 bps+180 bps+340 bps+240 bps+170 bps+140 bps    
2Q22 vs. 1Q22
BPS Change
+160 bps+210 bps+180 bps+290 bps+210 bps(40) bps+10 bps    

 


Overview of results

Revenues

Credit

  • U.S. high-grade: Commission revenue of $75.1 million (including $23.5 million in fixed-distribution fees) decreased $2.7 million, or 3%, compared to $77.8 million (including $21.4 million in fixed-distribution fees) in the prior year. Higher trading volumes and an increase in estimated market share were more than offset by lower average fees per million (“FPM”). The decline in average FPM for high-grade to $143.35, compared to $174.11 in the second quarter of 2021, was mainly due to the shorter duration of bonds traded (driven by higher bond yields and shorter years-to-maturity). There have been no changes to the U.S. high-grade fee plan.
    • Increase of approximately +120 basis points in estimated U.S. high-grade market share, from 21.1% in the prior year period.
  • Other credit: Commission revenue of $82.3 million (including $8.1 million in fixed-distribution fees) increased $7.4 million, or 10%, compared to $75.0 million (including $7.9 million in fixed-distribution fees) in the prior year. The increase was driven principally by strong estimated market share gains across all other credit products, slighly offset by lower average FPM. The FPM for other credit products was $185.93, compared to $194.49 in the second quarter of 2021. The decline in other credit FPM was due to a larger percentage of trading volume in local market emerging market bonds which have lower fees per million and dealer migration to fixed-distribution fee plans that command lower transaction fees.
    • Record U.S. high-yield estimated market share of 17.3%, up from 14.3% in the prior year on ADV of $1.8 billion, representing an increase 22%.
    • Record Eurobonds estimated market share of 15.1% on ADV of $1.5 billion, up 2%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, Eurobonds ADV would have increased approximately 13%.
    • Record emerging markets estimated market share on ADV of $2.8 billion, up 13%, with estimated market ADV down 10%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, emerging markets ADV would have increased approximately 14%.
    • Record municipal bond trading volume and ADV of $23.0 billion and $371 million, respectively, driven in part by an approximate 170-basis point increase in estimated market share.
  • Total credit: Commission revenue of $157.4 million increased $4.6 million, or 3%. A 15% increase in credit ADV to $12.3 billion, driven by strong estimated market share gains across credit products, was partially offset by lower average FPM. The average FPM for total credit products was $165.75, compared to $184.62 in the second quarter of 2021, reflecting the impact of lower U.S. high-grade average FPM discussed above.
    • Record total credit trading volume.
    • Record estimated combined U.S. high-grade and U.S. high-yield market share of 20.9%, up from 19.1% in the prior year.
    • Record composite corporate bond1 estimated market share of 20.2%, up from 17.8%.
    • 35% of total credit trading volume was executed via Open Trading.
      • $238 million ($439 million year-to-date) in estimated transaction cost savings2 for clients delivered via Open Trading, representing $1,030 in average cost savings per million.
    • Record 1.6 million total credit trades executed, up from 1.3 million executed in the prior year.
    • 92% of credit volume on the platform was executed by institutional clients.

Rates

  • Total rates commission revenue of $6.1 million increased $2.4 million, or 65%, compared to the prior year, driven by a 64% increase in U.S. Treasury ADV to $22.7 billion on strong estimated market share gains. The average FPM for total rates products was $4.21, compared to $4.07 in the second quarter of 2021.
    • Record U.S. Treasury estimated market share of 3.7%, up from 2.3%.

Information services & post-trade services

  • Combined information and post-trade services revenue of $18.5 million decreased $1.2 million, or 6%, compared to the prior year. The decrease in revenue was principally driven by the impact of currency fluctuations and planned customer attrition in connection with the Regulatory Reporting Hub integration. Adjusting for foreign currency fluctuations, combined information and post-trade services revenue would have increased approximately 3%.

Expenses

  • Total expenses of $97.4 million increased $8.3 million, or 9%. The increase in expenses was driven principally by higher employee compensation and benefits as a result of the increase in headcount, increased investments to enhance the trading system and data products, as well as higher technology and communication expenses due to higher subscription costs, market data expense and platform licensing fees.

Non-operating

  • Other income: Other income was $4.8 million, representing a $5.9 million increase from the prior year. The current quarter included a $5.5 million foreign currency transaction gain that benefited earnings per share by $0.11.
  • Tax rate: The effective tax rate was 25.3%, compared to 21.8% in the prior year. The higher effective tax rate was driven by a $5.7 million decrease in estimated excess tax benefits related to share based compensation awards.

Capital

  • The Company has $324.8 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments; there are no outstanding borrowings under the Company’s credit facility.
  • A total of 178,801 shares were repurchased in the quarter at a cost of $48.7 million. A total of $100.0 million remains under the current authorization by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
  • The Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.70 per share, payable on August 17, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 3, 2022.

Other

  • The Company had a record 1,935 total active client firms and a record 982 active international client firms, representing year-over-year increases of 5% and 6%, respectively.
  • Employee headcount was 684 as of June 30, 2022, compared to 637 as of June 30, 2021, and 676 as of December 31, 2021. The increase in headcount was due to the continued investment in the Company’s growth initiatives, including geographic expansion, trading automation and new trading protocols.

Guidance for 2022

  • Based on the progression of operating expenses year-to-date, the Company is re-confirming its full year 2022 expense guidance range of $385.0 million to $415.0 million and capital expenditure guidance range of $58.0 million to $62.0 million. The Company expects the full year effective tax rate to be at the upper-end of the previously stated range of 24.0% to 26.0%.

Other highlights

  • MarketAxess, Virtu Financial and several leading liquidity providers in the fixed income ETF space, including Citadel Securities, Flow Traders, Jane Street Capital and asset manager BlackRock, announced the formation of a consortium to support the growth of RFQ-hub, a bilateral multi-asset and multi-dealer request for quote platform. RFQ-hub brings asset managers and liquidity providers together to help electronically deliver aggregated and competitive liquidity, streamline workflow and improve pricing with a focus on equity and fixed-income listed and OTC derivatives, structured products and exchange-traded funds.
  • State Street Global Advisors launched the SPDR MarketAxess Investment Grade 400 Corporate Bond ETF (LQIG). The MKTX 400 Index tracks the performance of 400 U.S. dollar denominated investment grade corporate bonds with higher-than-average liquidity relative to the broader U.S. corporate bond market. Powered by MarketAxess’ proprietary liquidity and pricing data – our Relative Liquidity Score and Composite+™ pricing engine – the Index combines actionable liquidity with broad market exposure.
  • MarketAxess and MSCI agreed to enter into a strategic collaboration to create innovative portfolio analytics solutions and co-branded fixed-income indexes incorporating MarketAxess’ liquidity data, including Relative Liquidity Score and Tradability. In addition, MarketAxess plans to leverage MSCI’s ESG ratings to identify and create more liquid and sustainable fixed-income portfolios for its global institutional clients.

1 Composite corporate bond estimated market share is defined as combined estimated market share across U.S. high-grade (derived from FINRA TRACE reported data), U.S. high-yield (derived from FINRA TRACE reported data), emerging markets (derived from FINRA TRACE-reportable emerging markets volume) and Eurobonds (derived from MarketAxess TRAX data which is estimated to represent approximately 75% of the total European market) product areas.

2 Estimated liquidity taker cost savings is defined as the difference between the winning price and the best disclosed dealer cover price. Estimated liquidity provider cost savings is defined as the difference between the winning price and then current Composite+ bid or offer level (offer if the provider is buying, bid if provider is selling) at the time of the inquiry.

Non-GAAP financial measures and other items

To supplement the Company’s unaudited financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company uses certain non-GAAP measures of financial performance, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), EBITDA margin and free cash flow. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken into consideration with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, are important in understanding the Company's operating results. See the attached schedule for a reconciliation of GAAP net income to EBITDA and EBITDA margin and GAAP cash flow from operating activities to free cash flow.

Webcast and conference call information

Rick McVey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Concannon, President and Chief Operating Officer and Christopher Gerosa, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial results and outlook on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. To access the conference call, please dial 866-374-5140 (U.S.) and use the PIN/ID 68886811# or 404-400-0571 (international) and use the PIN/ID 68886811#. The Company will also host a live audio Webcast of the conference call on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.marketaxess.com. The Webcast will be archived on http://investor.marketaxess.com for 90 days following the announcement.

About MarketAxess

MarketAxess (Nasdaq: MKTX) operates a leading electronic trading platform that delivers greater trading efficiency, a diversified pool of liquidity and significant cost savings to institutional investors and broker-dealers across the global fixed-income markets. Over 1,900 firms leverage MarketAxess’ patented technology to efficiently trade fixed-income securities. MarketAxess’ award-winning Open Trading® marketplace is widely regarded as the preferred all-to-all trading solution in the global credit markets. Founded in 2000, MarketAxess connects a robust network of market participants through the full trading lifecycle, including automated trading solutions, intelligent data products and a range of post-trade services. Learn more at www.marketaxess.com and on Twitter @MarketAxess.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about the outlook and prospects for Company and industry growth, as well as statements about the Company’s future financial and operating performance. These and other statements that relate to future results and events are based on MarketAxess’ current expectations. The Company’s actual results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected or desired because of a number of risks and uncertainties, including: global economic, political and market factors; risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the possible effects of the economic conditions worldwide resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; adverse effects as a result of climate change or other ESG risks that could affect our reputation; the level of trading volume transacted on the MarketAxess platform; the rapidly evolving nature of the electronic financial services industry; the level and intensity of competition in the fixed-income electronic trading industry and the pricing pressures that may result; reputational or credibility risks related to our data products and index business; the variability of our growth rate; our ability to introduce new fee plans and our clients’ response; our ability to attract clients or adapt our technology and marketing strategy to new markets; risks related to our growing international operations; our dependence on our broker-dealer clients; the loss of any of our significant institutional investor clients; our exposure to risks resulting from non-performance by counterparties to transactions executed between our clients in which we act as an intermediary in matched principal trades; risks related to self-clearing; the effect of rapid market or technological changes on us and the users of our technology; our dependence on third-party suppliers for key products and services; our ability to successfully maintain the integrity of our trading platform and our response to system failures, capacity constraints and business interruptions; the occurrence of design defects, errors, failures or delays with our platforms; our vulnerability to cyber security risks; our actual or perceived failure to comply with privacy and data protection laws; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights or technology and defend against intellectual property infringement or other claims; our ability to enter into strategic alliances and to acquire other businesses and successfully integrate them with our business; our dependence on our management team and our ability to attract and retain talent; limitations on our flexibility because we operate in a highly regulated industry; the increasing government regulation of us and our clients; risks related to the U.K.’s exit from the European Union; our exposure to costs and penalties related to our extensive regulation; our risks of litigation and securities laws liability; our future capital needs and our ability to obtain capital when needed; limitations on our operating flexibility contained in our credit agreement; and other factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More information about these and other factors affecting MarketAxess’ business and prospects is contained in MarketAxess’ periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be accessed at www.marketaxess.com.

Contacts

 
INVESTOR RELATIONSMEDIA RELATIONS

Stephen Davidson
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
+1 212 813 6313
sdavidson2@marketaxess.com
Marisha Mistry
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
+1 917 267 1232
mmistry@marketaxess.com

 William McBride
RF | Binder
+1 917 239 6726


Table 4               
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
      
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30, 
 2022  2021  2022  2021 
 (In thousands, except per share data) 
 (unaudited) 
                
Revenues               
Commissions$163,463  $156,431  $329,576  $332,269 
Information services 9,396   9,844   19,205   19,006 
Post-trade services 9,144   9,848   19,056   20,109 
Other 226   211   449   414 
Total revenues 182,229   176,334   368,286   371,798 
                
Expenses               
Employee compensation and benefits 45,435   40,732   93,191   88,820 
Depreciation and amortization 15,240   13,097   30,414   24,876 
Technology and communications 12,490   10,544   24,682   20,580 
Professional and consulting fees 8,920   10,704   18,541   20,344 
Occupancy 3,700   3,300   7,087   6,617 
Marketing and advertising 2,949   3,128   4,738   4,332 
Clearing costs 4,263   4,372   8,838   9,066 
General and administrative 4,444   3,280   7,903   6,512 
Total expenses 97,441   89,157   195,394   181,147 
Operating income 84,788   87,177   172,892   190,651 
Other income (expense)               
Investment income 254   107   313   214 
Interest expense (337)  (171)  (510)  (362)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate 191      191    
Other, net 4,682   (1,060)  7,111   (2,649)
Total other income (expense) 4,790   (1,124)  7,105   (2,797)
Income before income taxes 89,578   86,053   179,997   187,854 
Provision for income taxes 22,656   18,765   48,306   40,109 
Net income$66,922  $67,288  $131,691  $147,745 
                
Per Share Data:               
Net income per common share               
Basic$1.78  $1.79  $3.52  $3.94 
Diluted$1.78  $1.77  $3.49  $3.87 
                
Cash dividends declared per common share$0.70  $0.66  $1.40  $1.32 
                
Weighted-average common shares:               
Basic 37,529   37,508   37,456   37,489 
Diluted 37,608   38,104   37,716   38,129 


Table 5               
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
Commission Revenue Details
 
                
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30, 
 2022  2021  2022  2021 
                
 Total Commissions Revenue 
 (In thousands) 
 (unaudited) 
                
Transaction Fees               
U.S. high-grade$51,576  $56,413  $104,454  $121,769 
Other credit 1 74,226   67,074   150,030   145,973 
Total credit 125,802   123,487   254,484   267,742 
Rates 2 6,020   3,612   12,211   7,755 
Total transaction fees 131,822   127,099   266,695   275,497 
                
Distribution Fees               
U.S. high-grade 23,496   21,373   46,522   42,343 
Other credit1 8,096   7,895   16,248   14,299 
Total credit 31,592   29,268   62,770   56,642 
Rates2 49   64   111   130 
Total distribution fees 31,641   29,332   62,881   56,772 
Total commissions$163,463  $156,431  $329,576  $332,269 
                
 Average Variable Transaction Fee Per Million 
 (unaudited) 
                
U.S. high-grade - fixed-rate$145.93  $179.02  $151.87  $182.21 
U.S. high-grade - floating-rate 48.15   36.40   50.12   41.19 
Total U.S. high-grade 143.35   174.11   148.82   177.13 
Other credit 1 185.93   194.49   186.85   198.36 
Total credit 165.75   184.62   169.11   188.11 
                
Rates2 4.21   4.07   4.05   3.86 
                
1 Other credit includes high-yield, emerging markets, Eurobonds and municipal bonds. 
2 Rates includes U.S. Government bonds, agencies and other government bonds. 
    


Table 6       
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet Data
 
        
        
 As of 
 June 30, 2022  December 31, 2021 
 (In thousands) 
 (unaudited) 
        
Assets       
Cash and cash equivalents$290,544  $506,735 
Cash segregated under federal regulations 50,276   50,159 
Investments, at fair value 34,297   36,078 
Accounts receivable, net 87,475   63,881 
Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers 617,817   408,346 
Goodwill 154,789   154,789 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization 105,607   116,377 
Furniture, equipment, leasehold improvements and capitalized
software, net
 93,255   96,061 
Operating lease right-of-use assets 68,602   70,960 
Prepaid expenses and other assets 65,048   27,066 
Total assets$1,567,710  $1,530,452 
        
Liabilities and stockholders' equity       
Liabilities       
Accrued employee compensation$35,685  $59,719 
Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers 375,211   229,325 
Income and other tax liabilities 27,660   40,456 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 42,797   71,218 
Operating lease liabilities 85,555   88,425 
Total liabilities 566,908   489,143 
        
Stockholders' equity       
Common stock 123   123 
Additional paid-in capital 325,047   330,262 
Treasury stock (320,252)  (232,712)
Retained earnings 1,035,723   956,966 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (39,839)  (13,330)
Total stockholders' equity 1,000,802   1,041,309 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$1,567,710  $1,530,452 
        


Table 7               
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
                
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
 2022
   2021     2022   2021 
                
 Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
 (In thousands)
 (unaudited)
Net income$66,922  $67,288  $131,691  $147,745 
Add back:               
Interest expense 337   171   510   362 
Provision for income taxes 22,656   18,765   48,306   40,109 
Depreciation and amortization 15,240   13,097   30,414   24,876 
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
  Amortization (“EBITDA”)
$105,155  $99,321  $210,921  $213,092 
                
EBITDA margin1 57.7%  56.3%  57.3%  57.3%
                
 Free Cash Flow
 (In thousands)
 (unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities$93,637  $96,726  $69,907  $73,567 
Exclude: Net change in trading investments    11,064      5,569 
Exclude: Net change in fail-to-deliver/receive
from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers
 (20,376)  (26,596)  48,166   66,774 
Less: Purchases of furniture, equipment and
leasehold improvements
 (1,285)  (5,552)  (2,681)  (9,809)
Less: Capitalization of software development costs (9,136)  (8,384)  (18,561)  (16,459)
Free cash flow$62,840  $67,258  $96,831  $119,642 
                
1 EBITDA margin is derived by dividing EBITDA by revenue for the applicable period.


Table 8               
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
Volume Statistics*
 
                
                
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 2022  2021  2022  2021 
                
 Total Trading Volume 
 (In millions) 
 (unaudited) 
                
U.S. high-grade - fixed-rate$350,296  $312,858  $680,854  $662,673 
U.S. high-grade - floating-rate 9,489   11,153   21,024   24,779 
Total U.S. high-grade 359,785   324,011   701,878   687,452 
Other credit 399,209   344,865   802,927   735,885 
Total credit 758,994   668,876   1,504,805   1,423,337 
                
Rates 1,431,595   888,267   3,012,829   2,009,135 
                
 Average Daily Volume 
 (In millions) 
 (unaudited) 
U.S. high-grade$5,803  $5,143  $5,660  $5,544 
Other credit 6,487   5,521   6,487   5,935 
Total credit 12,290   10,664   12,147   11,479 
                
Rates 23,099   14,113   24,297   16,203 
                
Number of U.S. Trading Days 1 62   63   124   124 
Number of U.K. Trading Days 2 60   61   123   124 
                
                
  
1 The number of U.S. trading days is based on the SIFMA holiday recommendation calendar. 
2 The number of U.K. trading days is based on the U.K. Bank holiday schedule. 
                
*Consistent with FINRA TRACE reporting standards, both sides of trades are included in the Company's reported volumes when the Company executes trades on a matched principal basis between two counterparties. Consistent with industry standards, U.S. Government Bond trades are single-counted.